Simbahan Sa Bukid...

...that means "Church in the Mountain". That is the name Pastor Dave decided to give to the church that the Lord is using him to plant here in Himamaylan. Today was the first service I have attended, at it was so much fun. We started out with leaving the house at 8am, picking up many people along the way inside of the jeep. We picked up so many people, that Dave, Bem, and myself hung on the back of the jeep. That was a lot of fun because we are driving on roads that would be considered "off-roading" back at home, and we get to hang on the back. It's not often in the states that you can pile up about 20 people inside a vehicle, 3 on the back and a few even on top. Here it is very common, and just the typical way of life transportation.

Dave and I both played worship today together... It's nice playing with Him because it helps me get use to playing and trying to learn the songs in Ilonggo. Bem also got go step out and play the Cajon for the first time in Worship, so that was great to see too. After worship, I followed Bem and his sister, Jeralyn, to the children's ministry and I got to hang out with all the kids! And I must tell you, there are a TON of kids!!! But if you know me, you know that I absolutely love kids, and being around them, especially when it is Jesus Christ who brought us all together. And that was exactly how it was this morning. We sang, danced, colored, did word searches, and after ate lots of bread and corn. Overall it was an amazing service, and the Lord is doing a great work here in the Bukid.

While the kids are great, they sure do wipe you out of energy. We came back home for the afternoon and I took a few hour nap... again, if you know me, you know how much I love to nap! I can really sleep anywhere. After the nap, I woke up to a huge lunch!!! Literally, so much food! I eat so much food here, and it is always changing. Yesterday, for breakfast, I ate dried, fried fish. It sits out for about 10 days, to dry, then we buy it at the market, and come home and fry it. It was actually quite tasty. :-) Today I tried a new fruit, "Atis"! It is amazing good! Why we don't have these imported to the US, I just don't know. But I loaded up on those today, as well as the best pineapple ever tasted and lots more food. Rice is served w/every meal, or its not a meal. And usually fresh fish and chicken are our meats.

We are about to head out again to play basketball w/the boys, and then mens bible study this evening. Its gonna be a fun night.. I'll continue to keep in touch w/all. Take Care, Love you much.

In Christ,

Nick